Complex Game needs Major analysis

Hi there. I like these sorts of tight manoeuvering games, and breaking through is always very satisfying! When I used to play more otb games, I tended to prefer these sorts of positions.

Early on, it's reasonably quiet. I would have been tempted to play c4 a little earlier, because the option might be lost. Also, I wondered a bit about 7.a6 since it does not really improve you development - perhaps castling here would be stronger. Also 9. Na5 doesn't seem to improve you position, and leaves you open to b4 as happens. However, instead if retreating the knight, taking the pawn en passant looks sound. But really these are minor tweaks (although the PC reckons taking on b3 makes about half a pawns difference).

On analysing with my PC, the only significant slip I can see is 17...Bh4, offering up your "good" bishop. If the knight takes the bishop, the silicon reckons there is a decent plus for white. I notice that you retreated it sharpish!

In the next part of the game, white has a slight space advantage, but no obvious break through points. Again, a small one - the PC does not like 20...g7, but I am not clear on how white can exploit this. I thought that white was a bit hasty to exchange the queens, and the position looks very balanced after this. In fact the computers evaluation is close to 0.00 here until around move 35, where Rg1 looks like an error, Rh1 being stronger. In reply Kh7 is good, with g5 as an alternative.

From this point you start to build up your advantage, turning the screw and building the pressure. One quite nice tactic the computer came up with (I was not having a very productive time analysing myself!) was 41...Bxb4 42. cxb4 Nxd5+ which creates a powerful pawn mass in the centre. But in any case you played very strongly to the finish, when your opponent finally cracked with Ra1? and then b5??

A very interesting game, in which you seem to have played very solidly, with a nice finish - thanks for sharing it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to analyse the game!  I really appreciate your comments as they do take time to post.

No problem - I can't too much credit, my software does the hard work! I particularly enjoyed this game, as it reminded me of games I've played myself.